Sizing Up Good Stuff’s Election Burger Roster

Former Rep. David Wu sits outside Good Stuff Eatery on Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast next to a board tallying the score of the restaurant’s Great Burger Debate. At press time, the Ragin’ Cajun was leading the Sharp & Sassy, 480-315. (Jason Dick/CQ Roll Call)

The Good Stuff Eatery founder has cooked up a pair of politically themed burgers modeled after campaign surrogates (and real-life spouses) James Carville and Mary Matalin.

The Ragin’ Cajun looks every bit as menacing as its namesake pundit. The cholesterol bomb is outfitted with a thick, breaded “Creole” onion ring, golden cap of molten cheddar and fabulously vinegary pickle slices. (Warm? Yes. Fried? Not so much.) A zesty chipotle barbecue sauce (could be hotter/smokier) completes the package.

The Sharp & Sassy tastes more refined, even if properly appreciating it does require getting a little sloppy. Grilled portabellas tumble from the burger as soon as one peels back the wrapper, exposing a patty enrobed in a froth of peppadew pepper-spiked mayo and rapidly reducing goat cheese.

A GSE spokeswoman said the Democratic and Republican strategists (respectively) were both consulted about the signature sandwiches and were given final approval over each. The burgers were officially unveiled Aug. 24, and the restaurant is carefully tracking which side scores the most orders through Election Day.

At press time, the Carville construct was leading the makeshift Matalin, 480-315.

But all that has happened while true partisans were getting their hero worship on in Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s going to be interesting, once everyone’s back from the conventions, to see how these votes change,” a GSE aide said.